Marilyn Joyce Simmons

Marilyn Joyce McKimmey Simmons, lovingly known to her family as “Grandy,” was born in Fort Worth, Texas, on July 12, 1940, to Vernon Hobart McKimmey and Pearl May (Huffman) McKimmey. She passed away peacefully at her home in Fairview, Oklahoma, on September 4, 2026, at the age of 86, with her daughters by her side.

Marilyn grew up in Fort Worth. On January 24, 1964, she married the love of her life, William Carroll Simmons. Together, they built a life centered on family, faith, laughter, and love. They spent their early married years in Fort Worth, where Carroll proudly served as a firefighter, before moving their family to Fairview, Oklahoma in 1977. Fairview would remain their home for the rest of their lives.

Marilyn's working life reflected two of her natural gifts: keeping things organized and caring for people. Her kindness, patience, and ability to work with people made her work especially meaningful to her. Above all, the roles Marilyn cherished most were those of wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.

Family was at the center of Marilyn's life, and she loved hers unconditionally. She loved making a home, cooking for family and friends, and making sure everyone else was taken care of before herself. Some of the family's happiest memories were simply spent gathered around her table—sharing meals, playing games, telling stories, and laughing together. Marilyn loved to laugh, and her warm, endearing laugh is something her family will always remember.

She loved shopping, especially with her daughters, and treasured the time it gave them together. Marilyn was extraordinarily generous and took joy in buying gifts for others.

Marilyn loved animals, working in her yard, growing flowers, and the beauty of nature. She saw in them the awesomeness of God's creation.

Marilyn's Christian faith was an important part of her life and could be seen most clearly in the way she treated others. She loved helping people and ministering to those in need, but she never made others feel judged.

Marilyn and Carroll shared 53 years of marriage before his passing on April 1, 2017. Her family takes comfort in their faith and in knowing that, after more than nine years apart, Marilyn and Carroll are together again.

Marilyn is survived by her four children, David Simmons (Debby), Annalyn Evans (Al), Alicia Trammell (Perry), and Tomm Simmons; nine grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren, and the extended family she loved so dearly.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, William Carroll Simmons; her parents; and her brother.

Marilyn will be laid to rest beside her husband in the family's burial plot in Morgan, Texas.

Marilyn leaves behind a family shaped by the way she loved them and a lifetime of memories filled with family, faith, laughter, and kindness. Most of all, she leaves the example of a life spent finding joy in the happiness of others.

Marilyn will be remembered for her kindness, her faith, her laughter, and the unconditional love she had for her family.